Laing, Gerald Ogilvie | Universities at War

Personal details

Name on Memorial:

Laing, G. O.

Forename(s):

Gerald Ogilvie

Surname:

Laing

Date of Death:

Tuesday, June 5, 1917

Age at Death:

University life

College:

Armstrong College, Newcastle upon Tyne

Staff or Student:

Student

Military Service

The information displayed here is at the time of death.

Rank:

Captain

Service:

Army

Unit:

Northumberland Fusiliers, 20th Battalion

Prisoner of War:

Theatre of War:

France and Flanders

Biography

Gerald was the son of Farguhar and Jane Grace Laing of Farnley Grange, Corbridge. His father was a Wine Merchant and he was one of five siblings. His younger brother Dudley was a Captain in 22nd Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers and was killed in July 1916.

He attended Armstrong College, where he studied Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry and Engineering. He gained a BSc.

Gerald married Edith Frances Laing and lived at 15 Kingsland, Jesmond, Newcastle upon Tyne.

Gerald died on 5th June 1917 aged 30. This was during the flanking operation of the Hindernburg Line in the Arras Offensive. This lasted from 20th May to 16th June 1917.

Addresses before and during the war

Fernwood House, Clifton Road, Jesmond, Newcastle (place of residence as entered in the 1891 Census)

Place of Burial or Battle Site Memorial

Gerald is commemorated the Arras Memorial in Pas De Calais, France.

Memorials

Other Memorials:

Gerald is also commemorated on a plaque in St. Andrew's Church, Corbridge.

Additional images

Research information

Sources:

UK Census registers, National Archives (available via Ancestry.co.uk)

UK Military Service Records, National Archives (available via Ancestry.co.uk)

Newcastle University Archives (Roll of Service, Armstrong College Calendars, The Northerner Student Magazine)

North East War Memorials Project

Commonwealth War Graves Commission

Stewart and Sheen (1999) Tyneside Scottish

Researched by:

Sophie Anderton, Ian Johnson, Rachel Hill, Amy Shiel, Rosie Setford.